Downhole treatment tool and method

ABSTRACT

A downhole treatment tool including a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports. A sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing. The sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports. A method for treating a downhole location.

BACKGROUND

Treatment of boreholes is done for a plethora of reasons including fracturing, acidizing, etc. and there have been many tools and methods over the years to facilitate treatment and control of the process. In view of the ever changing environment of subterranean exploration and recovery, new tools and methods are needed and always well received.

SUMMARY

A downhole treatment tool includes a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports; a sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports.

A downhole system includes a tubular string; a treatment tool having a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports; a sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports.

A method for treating a downhole location includes applying one or more of a pressure and a flow of a treatment fluid to a treatment tool that includes a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports and a sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports; aligning the one or more apertures with the one or more openings; jetting fluid through the one or more openings; eroding a structure radially outwardly of the housing; aligning the one or more apertures with the one or more ports; treating the downhole location.

A downhole treatment tool includes a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports; a flow tube disposed in movable relationship to the housing; and a valve member actuable by the flow tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a downhole treatment tool in a first operational position;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of a downhole treatment tool in a second operational position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a downhole treatment tool in a first operational position;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a downhole treatment tool in a second operational position;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a downhole treatment tool in a first operational position;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a downhole treatment tool in a second operational position;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a downhole treatment tool in a third operational position;

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a downhole treatment tool in a fourth operational position;

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross sectional view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 9 in an actuated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the treatment tool 10 is illustrated in a structure 12 that may be an open borehole or a tubing of another sort such as a casing. The tool 10 comprises a housing 14 having one or more openings 16 and one or more ports 18. The openings 16 in some embodiments will further include structure 20 that tends to cause fluid traveling through the openings under pressure to jet such as an extended nozzle or telescopic member. The one or more openings range in size from 0.075″ to 0.5″. In order to enhance the jetting action of fluid flowing through the one or more openings, in some embodiments it may be helpful to configure the openings in a frustoconical geometry with the truncated peak of the frustocone oriented radially outwardly of the housing. Fluid flowing through such a geometrical configuration will increase velocity pursuant to the Bernoulli principle. An increase in velocity will of course enhance jetting action (and the cutting action of erosive particles in the fluid). It is noted however that when jetting slurry laden fluids, care should be taken with respect to the particle size versus the frustocone dimensions to avoid bridging, which may frustrate the purpose of jetting the fluid. The one or more ports 18 will range in size from 0.075″ to 0.5″.

A sleeve 22 is disposed within the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures 24. Apertures 24 in an embodiment will be of larger dimension that the one or more openings 16 and substantially similar in dimension to the one or more ports 18. Apertures 24 extend through a thickness of the sleeve 22 such that fluid communication from inside of the sleeve to outside of the sleeve is facilitated. Depending upon the position of the sleeve 22 then, fluid pumped through the ID of a string in which the tool 10 is a part may be conveyed through the one or more apertures 24 to either the one or more openings 14 or the one or more ports 16.

Positioning of the sleeve 22 within the housing 14 may be effected by pressure where the sleeve 22 is configured as a piston or may be by frictional drag where the sleeve 22 is configured to allow flow therethrough but be responsive to fluid drag for positioning. In an embodiment, the sleeve is responsive to less than about 7 BPM flow rate through the tubing string to align the one or more apertures 24 with the one or more openings 16 and responsive to flow rates greater than 7 BPM to align the one or more apertures 24 with the one or more ports 18. This is helpful since in one iteration of the tool a fracturing fluid is initially conveyed to be jetted toward a structure 12 radially outwardly of the tool, which may be an open hole or another tubular such as a casing in order to erode a perforation 26 through the tubular or erode a fracture initiation point into the formation at the borehole interface. This can be accomplished at a lower flow rate of less than 7 BPM. And subsequent to the erosive action, the flow rate may be increased to greater than 7 BPM to position the sleeve such that the one or more apertures 24 are aligned with the one or more ports 18 to supply a fracturing pressure (or other as desired) to the formation through the perforations or through the fracture initiation points.

In some embodiments, further included in the tool 10 is a biasing arrangement 26 such as a spring. The spring may be a coil spring as shown or may be rubber, fluid spring, etc. The function of the spring is to bias the sleeve 22 to a position if nonalignment between the one or more apertures 24 and the one or more openings 16 or the one or more ports 18. In essence, this would be a closed position for the tool. Accordingly, in embodiments with the biasing member, any reduction in the flow regime to which the sleeve is configured to be responsive will result in closure of the tool.

In another embodiment, and where tool closure is not desired when there is a reduction in the flow regime, the tool may be configured as in FIGS. 3 and 4. It will be appreciated that to a large extend the tool is the same as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The distinctions are an anchoring arrangement 30 at the sleeve 22 and an anchoring complement 32 at the housing 14. It is to be appreciated that the anchoring arrangement and the anchoring complement may be reversed as well. The anchoring arrangement 30 is a mechanical configuration in this embodiment that provides an interconnection with the anchoring complement 32. As illustrated the arrangement is a collet and the complement is a profile. It is to be understood that similar mechanical interactive structures are likewise envisioned such as a body lock ring, a snap ring engagement, a dog system, etc. Upon the overall system reaching the higher flow regime that will cause the sleeve 22 to align its one or more apertures 24 with the housing's one or more ports 18, the anchoring arrangement 30 will engage the anchoring complement 32 and hold the sleeve 22 in that position regardless of any reduction in the flow regime thereafter.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, an embodiment that is tolerant to shorter term reductions in flow regime is illustrated. The figures are more schematic than FIGS. 1-4 but generally operate the same way other than the portions specifically addressed hereunder. In this embodiment, the housing 14 is modified to include a piston cylinder 40 and the sleeve is modified to include a piston 42 connected thereto. The piston 42 is reciprocatingly contained within the cylinder 40. The piston is provisioned with a bleed 44 that will essentially turn the arrangement into a dashpot. This alone will slow the reaction of the sleeve 22 to inputs of the flow regime so that once the regime has achieved a property sufficient to shift the sleeve to the aperture/port aligned position, a shorter duration reduction in the regime will not result in the immediate misalignment of that position. In order to increase the speed of reaction of the sleeve in the opening direction, a check valve 46 may also be present in some embodiments to increase the possible bleed volume through the piston in a direction associated with opening the sleeve and then to restrict the bleed volume in a direction associated with the closing of the sleeve. The operation and fluid flow directions through the piston 42 is shown in FIGS. 5-8.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another embodiment of the tool 10. In this embodiment, a flow tube 60 and a valve member 62 such as a flapper (or a ball valve, etc.) are disposed in a housing 70 having one or more ports 72 downstream of the flow tube and flapper. During use, the flow tube 60 is pushed downstream and the valve member 62 is urged to an open position by the flow of fluid therethrough as well as by the flow tube 60 extending through the valve member 62. Flow of fluid once the flapper is open the fluid may flow through the ports 72 similar to the embodiments discussed hereinabove.

Finally, it is to be understood that all embodiments considered herein are alternatively actuable using electromechanical or electromagnetic means schematically illustrated in each drawing as a box 80. The means 80 may respond to remote actuation or local actuation using sensors.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1: A downhole treatment tool comprising: a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports; a sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports.

Embodiment 2: The tool of embodiment 1 further comprising a biasing member disposed to oppose alignment of the one or more apertures with the one or more openings or the one or more ports.

Embodiment 3: The tool of embodiment 2 wherein the biasing member is a spring.

Embodiment 4: The tool of embodiment 1 wherein the one or more openings are configured to produce a jet of fluid upon the application of a pressurized fluid therethrough.

Embodiment 5: The tool of embodiment 1 wherein the sleeve is closed at a downstream end thereof.

Embodiment 6: The tool of embodiment 1 wherein the sleeve is configured to respond to flowing fluid therethrough to move positionally.

Embodiment 7: The tool of embodiment 6 wherein the sleeve is configured to respond to fluid friction.

Embodiment 8: The tool of embodiment 6 wherein the sleeve is configured to respond to fluid pressure.

Embodiment 9: The tool of embodiment 1 configured to be electromechanically or electromagnetically actuated.

Embodiment 10: The tool of embodiment 1 wherein the sleeve further includes an anchoring arrangement.

Embodiment 11: The tool of embodiment 11 wherein the anchoring arrangement is mechanical.

Embodiment 12: The tool of embodiment 11 wherein the anchoring arrangement is a collet.

Embodiment 13: The tool of embodiment 10 wherein the anchoring arrangement is fluidic.

Embodiment 14: The tool of embodiment 10 wherein the anchoring arrangement includes a piston movable within a cylinder of the housing, the piston is configured to pass a large volume of fluid in one direction that it can in an opposite direction.

Embodiment 15: The tool of embodiment 14, wherein the piston includes a check valve.

Embodiment 16: The tool of embodiment 10 wherein the housing includes an anchoring complement to the anchoring arrangement.

Embodiment 17: The tool of embodiment 10 wherein the anchoring arrangement

Embodiment 18: A downhole system comprising: a tubular string; a treatment tool having a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports; a sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports.

Embodiment 19: A method for treating a downhole location comprising: applying one or more of a pressure and a flow of a treatment fluid to a treatment tool that includes a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports and a sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports; aligning the one or more apertures with the one or more openings; jetting fluid through the one or more openings; eroding a structure radially outwardly of the housing; aligning the one or more apertures with the one or more ports; treating the downhole location.

Embodiment 20: The method of embodiment 19 wherein the structure is an open borehole.

Embodiment 21: The method of embodiment 19 wherein the structure is a tubular.

Embodiment 22: The method of embodiment 19 wherein the treating is fracturing.

Embodiment 23: A downhole treatment tool comprising: a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports; a flow tube disposed in movable relationship to the housing; a valve member actuable by the flow tube.

Embodiment 24: The downhole tool of embodiment 23 configured to be electromechanically or electromagnetically actuated.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should further be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. 

1. A downhole treatment tool comprising: a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports; a sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports.
 2. The tool as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a biasing member disposed to oppose alignment of the one or more apertures with the one or more openings or the one or more ports.
 3. The tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein the biasing member is a spring.
 4. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more openings are configured to produce a jet of fluid upon the application of a pressurized fluid therethrough.
 5. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is closed at a downstream end thereof.
 6. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sleeve is configured to respond to flowing fluid therethrough to move positionally.
 7. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sleeve is configured to respond to fluid friction.
 8. The tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sleeve is configured to respond to fluid pressure.
 9. The tool as claimed in claim 1 configured to be electromechanically or electromagnetically actuated.
 10. The tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sleeve further includes an anchoring arrangement.
 11. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein the anchoring arrangement is mechanical.
 12. The tool as claimed in claim 11 wherein the anchoring arrangement is a collet.
 13. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein the anchoring arrangement is fluidic.
 14. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein the anchoring arrangement includes a piston movable within a cylinder of the housing, the piston is configured to pass a large volume of fluid in one direction that it can in an opposite direction.
 15. The tool as claimed in claim 14, wherein the piston includes a check valve.
 16. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein the housing includes an anchoring complement to the anchoring arrangement.
 17. The tool as claimed in claim 10 wherein the anchoring arrangement
 18. A downhole system comprising: a tubular string; a treatment tool having a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports; a sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports.
 19. A method for treating a downhole location comprising: applying one or more of a pressure and a flow of a treatment fluid to a treatment tool that includes a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports and a sleeve disposed in movable relationship to the housing, the sleeve having one or more apertures that upon movement of the sleeve are selectively positionable among positions of unaligned, aligned with the one or more openings or aligned with the one or more ports; aligning the one or more apertures with the one or more openings; jetting fluid through the one or more openings; eroding a structure radially outwardly of the housing; aligning the one or more apertures with the one or more ports; treating the downhole location.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the structure is an open borehole.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the structure is a tubular.
 22. The method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the treating is fracturing.
 23. A downhole treatment tool comprising: a housing having one or more openings and one or more ports; a flow tube disposed in movable relationship to the housing; and a valve member actuable by the flow tube.
 24. The downhole tool as claimed in claim 23 configured to be electromechanically or electromagnetically actuated. 